The Color Purple Will Take Center Stage This Month!

By Chuck N. Baker
August 7^th will be a “Red Letter Day” for those who have served in the military and were wounded in combat.  The State of Nevada, as well as the Cities of Las Vegas and Henderson, have combined efforts to honor local contingents of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, naming August 7^th as Purple Heart Day.

This is all part of Governor Brian Sandoval’s pledge to make Nevada the friendliest state in the nation for veterans and military members. Governor Sandoval is scheduled to issue a proclamation on August 7, 2018 proclaiming Purple Heart Day across Nevada.

Also on August 7, the Clark County Commission will issue its own proclamation naming Clark County a Purple Heart County. At 9 a.m. on that day, Chapter 711 of the local Military Order of the Purple Heart will present a Purple Heart flag and a plaque to members of the Commission. The plaque will hang permanently in the building lobby.

Chapter Commander Len Yelinek is presenting an enamel sign that will be installed in a parking space at the building’s parking lot. The sign reserves the parking spot for combat wounded veterans who have been presented with a Purple Heart medal.

Earlier that morning, there will be another similar ceremony. At 8:30 a.m.  Henderson Mayor Debra March and members of the City Council will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening the City’s newly developed Purple Heart Plaza.  The Mayor will then proclaim August 7 Purple Heart Day in the City of Henderson. Once the ribbon is cut, Chapter 730 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart will conduct a Purple Heart Day ceremony and pay tribute to America’s fallen comrades.

As a part of the ceremonies, members of the chapter will unveil the first of 1,800 brick pavers in honor of the mayor’s son. The Operation Enduring Freedom veteran served in Iraq and received a Silver Star. In this case, silver and purple blend well together. Completing the event, Chapter 730 Commander Dan Peterson will read aloud Governor Sandoval’s proclamation.

The national headquarters of the Military Order of the Purple Heart is located in Virginia, with chapters found throughout the nation. Members have served in the United States military during wartime, and have been wounded in combat. The citation was first presented by General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. But the color purple itself appeared in the prehistoric art during the Neolithic era.

The public is encouraged to attend the August 7 ceremonies to show respect and to honor soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen who have received a Purple Heart. For more information about the ceremonies, call Len Yelinek at (702) 480-0789. Oh, and don’t forget, there is still plenty of time to go shopping and buy an item of purple clothing to wear proudly on August 7^th!